Qiu Zijun gave a bitter smile. “Dad, don’t worry. I didn’t save anything. The embezzlement was all my idea, and I spent every penny myself. It won’t implicate anyone else.”
Father Qiu looked a bit awkward. “Really? Well, that’s good… Take care of yourself in there. I had your mom pack some clothes for you. The weather’s turning cold…”
If this had been before, such concern from his parents in his hour of need would have touched Qiu Zijun deeply. But after what he had just experienced, their belated damage control fell on deaf ears…
Soon, Qiu Zijun’s personal assets were frozen and seized to cover the embezzled funds, but the amount was so huge that his possessions were a drop in the bucket.
At trial, the judge sentenced him to twenty years in prison for the massive sum involved. Twenty whole years—by the time he got out, he’d be over fifty!
Days dragged on slowly, yet flew by quickly. Twenty-five years later, Qiu Zijun finally walked free.
He had a rough time in prison. Inmates learned he had a wealthy father-in-law and a daughter with a rich heiress, so they assumed he’d go back to a life of luxury upon release and targeted him relentlessly.
Whenever he was up for early release due to good behavior, he’d get dragged into fights or assaults, adding five more years to his sentence before he finally got out.
The Qiu Zijun who emerged was covered in old wounds, his hair fully white, looking like a decrepit old man on his last legs—no trace of his former youthful vigor.
As expected yet unexpected, no one came to pick him up. He took a public bus back to his old home.
Both his parents were still alive, but his father was bedridden, too old to get up, handling all eating, drinking, and elimination in bed, cared for only by his mother.
His brother’s wife already despised her in-laws, complaining about the stench in her father-in-law’s room. Now with a jailbird Eldest Uncle returning, she smashed bowls mid-meal, cursing indirectly.
Qiu Zijun’s brother turned a deaf ear, as if he hadn’t heard his wife cursing his brother. He finished eating and rushed off to work.
He had long lost his youthful arrogance. The high-maintenance girlfriend was long gone, the house unbought. The family of four crammed into his parents’ old 40-square-meter place.
Now with his own son nearly marriageable age, sleeping on childhood bunk beds, how could they welcome this brother competing for the property?
Mother Qiu pulled her eldest son into the room, her eyes evasive. “Zijun, your brother’s family and us make six people. This house is only 40 square meters—it’s too cramped. Why don’t… why don’t you rent a place outside?”
Qiu Zijun’s face was wooden. “Mom, I have no money. And with my record, who’d rent to me?”
Mother Qiu looked troubled. “I don’t have money either. Your dad needs meds—his pension barely covers it, so we rely on your brother and sister-in-law to chip in. You saw how upset she got. If she cuts off your dad’s med money, we can’t let him go without, right?”
A chill wave swept through Qiu Zijun’s heart. He couldn’t help saying, “Mom, don’t forget how I ended up in prison!”
Mother Qiu looked embarrassed. “You embezzled on your own—no one forced you! If you’d just bought your brother a house, fine, but you blew it all and even lost your own money. We’re not asking you to support us in old age, so don’t push us old folks…”
Qiu Zijun turned to his silent father on the bed. “Dad, is that what you think too?”
Father Qiu kept his eyes downcast, like a stagnant pond. Only occasional coughs showed he was still alive. Qiu Zijun waited a long time, knowing it was tacit agreement. His heart filled with nothing but desolation. He didn’t even know how he walked out that door.
Perhaps it shouldn’t be called “home” anymore. He had been in and out in less than an hour, and not a soul welcomed him…
Qiu Zijun had scraped together a little money in prison. He spent it bit by bit inquiring at the old Jin family site and finally learned where his daughter lived now.
He waited outside a long time and finally saw her—his little girl. She had grown up, her smile sunny, her demeanor gentle. She held the arm of a tall, handsome man who carried their child in his arms.
Another daughter. But her husband was more responsible than he had ever been; their smiles showed how well he treated them.
Qiu Zijun had no face to approach them. He watched the family of three walk away without blinking, wiped his tears, and dragged his steps back to his shack.
With no more ties, he chose to end it himself. Suffocating river water surged into his nostrils. The agony of death made him thrash uncontrollably…
“Zijun, Zijun, what are you spacing out for?” Someone suddenly shoved him hard.
Qiu Zijun jolted awake and stared at the woman beside him, decades younger. “Mom?!”
Oh god, he had come back?
Heaven must have seen his unwillingness and sent him back for a redo!
This life, he absolutely wouldn’t repeat his mistakes. He wouldn’t betray his wife and his little girl again!
Qiu Zijun felt as if in a dream, not yet fully awake, when he heard his mother say, “How did it go? Did your father-in-law agree to give money for your little brother to buy a house?”
“There’s a new development in Haidong District. Your brother and his girlfriend checked it out a few days ago…”
“No—” Qiu Zijun was terrified. Soon, a knock sounded at the door. He clearly didn’t want to open it, yet some mysterious force compelled him toward it.
Two familiar-looking officers stood outside. “Mr. Qiu Zijun, right? We just received a report from the boss of Jin Yu Yuan. You’re suspected of embezzling company procurement funds, with a massive amount involved. Please hand over your phone and personal items and come with us.”
“No!! Impossible, this isn’t real!” Qiu Zijun broke down.
Author’s Note:
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